Camp Field Day lighting bonfires

May 9 program highlights joys, benefits of experiencing WNC’s great outdoors

Participants take part in the third annual Camp Field Day at Camp Ton-A-Wandah last year.

FILE PHOTO

By MARK SCHULMANTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 10:23 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 10:23 a.m.

The camp industry in Western North Carolina is vital to the region, and the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce and United Community Bank will demonstrate the benefits first-hand during its fourth Camp Field Day at Camp Ton-A-Wandah on May 9.

Henderson County’s 17 camps brought in $120 million in 2010, according to a N.C. State University study that year.

Camp Field Day offers the business community an opportunity to understand the camp industry and participate in camp-like activities, Chamber President Bob Williford said.

Activities include a zipline, archery, riflery, kayaking, rock wall climbing, pingpong and more, along with a new event — a mountain bike competition for the 22 businesses participating in the event.

“It is a team-building event that allows people to be part of something athletic, diverse and outdoorsy,” said Fair Nabers Waggoner, city president at United Community Bank on Chimney Rock Road.

Waggoner grew up in Henderson County but didn’t realize until later in life the positive influence that summer camps have on families and the community.

Campers’ experiences influence their lives well past their summer-time excursion, she said.

“Many former campers return to Hendersonville to work, open a business and/or retire because of this connection from their youth,” Waggoner said. “I have met folks that have maintained years of close friendships that were forged at camp and have served them well throughout their lives.”

Waggoner’s 10-year-old daughter, Drake, has attended Camp-Ton-A-Wondah, one of the sponsors of Camp Field Day, for four years. Drake learned many skills and discovered new interests such as horseback riding and rock climbing while making friends with fellow campers, who hailed from Venezuela to Asheville.

“Out of all that, what I love most is that camp forces her to be a kid, unplug and enjoy the basics of life like having fun, playing outside, learning from nature, trying new things, even if it is a bit scary, all culminating in a strong, happy, outgoing, independent amazing little person,” Waggoner said.

But not every child can afford to go to camp. So Henderson County Young Leaders Program, a local charity, is helping out.

Camp Field Day officials will hold raffle drawings, and those proceeds will go toward the program, which offers local children the chance to go to camp. The Henderson County Young Leaders Program provides a progression of residential camp, mentoring and monthly education experiences.

“The intent is to provide divergent learning opportunities and engagement to our local kids, with the hope that they will grow into the future teachers, bankers, business owners and ultimately the leaders in Henderson County’s future,” Waggoner said.

Children and families are not the only ones who benefit from the camp industry.

The 2010 economic impact study also indicated that 13,053 families visited the county when bringing their children to camp. They stayed an average of four nights in the county’s lodging facilities and spent about $2,300 each on shopping, dining and visiting nature areas and historic attractions.

The study also included camps in Transylvania, Buncombe and Jackson counties. The four counties pull in about $365 million, and the camps draw more than 49,000 campers each year, according to the study.

“Each summer, families from around the county and all corners of the world make an annual pilgrimage to Henderson County to bring their children to camp,” said Camp Director Garrett Graham of Camp Ton-A-Wandah. “Many families will extend their stay in the area before or after camp to enjoy waterfalls in DuPont State Recreational Forest, the views from the Blue Ridge Parkway or a rafting trip down one of the many world-class rivers in the area.”

For more information on Camp Field Day, call 828-692-1413 or email chamber@hendersoncountychamber. org and the Henderson County Young Leaders Program at hcylp.org.

<p>The camp industry in Western North Carolina is vital to the region, and the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce and United Community Bank will demonstrate the benefits first-hand during its fourth Camp Field Day at Camp Ton-A-Wandah on May 9.</p><p>Henderson County's 17 camps brought in $120 million in 2010, according to a N.C. State University study that year.</p><p>Camp Field Day offers the business community an opportunity to understand the camp industry and participate in camp-like activities, Chamber President Bob Williford said.</p><p>Activities include a zipline, archery, riflery, kayaking, rock wall climbing, pingpong and more, along with a new event — a mountain bike competition for the 22 businesses participating in the event.</p><p>“It is a team-building event that allows people to be part of something athletic, diverse and outdoorsy,” said Fair Nabers Waggoner, city president at United Community Bank on Chimney Rock Road.</p><p>Waggoner grew up in Henderson County but didn't realize until later in life the positive influence that summer camps have on families and the community.</p><p>Campers' experiences influence their lives well past their summer-time excursion, she said.</p><p>“Many former campers return to Hendersonville to work, open a business and/or retire because of this connection from their youth,” Waggoner said. “I have met folks that have maintained years of close friendships that were forged at camp and have served them well throughout their lives.”</p><p>Waggoner's 10-year-old daughter, Drake, has attended Camp-Ton-A-Wondah, one of the sponsors of Camp Field Day, for four years. Drake learned many skills and discovered new interests such as horseback riding and rock climbing while making friends with fellow campers, who hailed from Venezuela to Asheville.</p><p>“Out of all that, what I love most is that camp forces her to be a kid, unplug and enjoy the basics of life like having fun, playing outside, learning from nature, trying new things, even if it is a bit scary, all culminating in a strong, happy, outgoing, independent amazing little person,” Waggoner said. </p><p>But not every child can afford to go to camp. So Henderson County Young Leaders Program, a local charity, is helping out. </p><p>Camp Field Day officials will hold raffle drawings, and those proceeds will go toward the program, which offers local children the chance to go to camp. The Henderson County Young Leaders Program provides a progression of residential camp, mentoring and monthly education experiences. </p><p>“The intent is to provide divergent learning opportunities and engagement to our local kids, with the hope that they will grow into the future teachers, bankers, business owners and ultimately the leaders in Henderson County's future,” Waggoner said. </p><p>Children and families are not the only ones who benefit from the camp industry. </p><p>The 2010 economic impact study also indicated that 13,053 families visited the county when bringing their children to camp. They stayed an average of four nights in the county's lodging facilities and spent about $2,300 each on shopping, dining and visiting nature areas and historic attractions. </p><p>The study also included camps in Transylvania, Buncombe and Jackson counties. The four counties pull in about $365 million, and the camps draw more than 49,000 campers each year, according to the study. </p><p>“Each summer, families from around the county and all corners of the world make an annual pilgrimage to Henderson County to bring their children to camp,” said Camp Director Garrett Graham of Camp Ton-A-Wandah. “Many families will extend their stay in the area before or after camp to enjoy waterfalls in DuPont State Recreational Forest, the views from the Blue Ridge Parkway or a rafting trip down one of the many world-class rivers in the area.” </p><p>For more information on Camp Field Day, call 828-692-1413 or email chamber@hendersoncountychamber. org and the Henderson County Young Leaders Program at hcylp.org. </p><p>Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or mark.schulman@blueridgenow.com.</p>